It all depends on what you plan on using it for. If you're not going to do any intensive stuff, get something that's more cost effective. You don't need the latest Nvidia card with the latest processor and shit if all you're going to do is use word and netflix.

NoodleyOne wrote:It all depends on what you plan on using it for. If you're not going to do any intensive stuff, get something that's more cost effective. You don't need the latest Nvidia card with the latest processor and shit if all you're going to do is use word and netflix.

Yeah, I agree. People tend to buy "too much laptop," which I'm guilty of as well, so I'm trying to be smarter about it this time.

NoodleyOne wrote:It all depends on what you plan on using it for. If you're not going to do any intensive stuff, get something that's more cost effective. You don't need the latest Nvidia card with the latest processor and shit if all you're going to do is use word and netflix.

Yeah, I agree. People tend to buy "too much laptop," which I'm guilty of as well, so I'm trying to be smarter about it this time.

I passed through best buy this weekend to check out laptops. It's true that the UVA suggetions are way too overpriced, but it's really tough for me to deny the MB air's sexyness. It definitely feels better-built than some of the PC counterparts.

With that said, I think I'm going to go with a mid-ranged ASUS. I have a fairly new desktop that I'll be using for most of my intense school-work at home. Laptop will mostly be for class/library.

NoodleyOne wrote:It all depends on what you plan on using it for. If you're not going to do any intensive stuff, get something that's more cost effective. You don't need the latest Nvidia card with the latest processor and shit if all you're going to do is use word and netflix.

Yeah, I agree. People tend to buy "too much laptop," which I'm guilty of as well, so I'm trying to be smarter about it this time.

I passed through best buy this weekend to check out laptops. It's true that the UVA suggetions are way too overpriced, but it's really tough for me to deny the MB air's sexyness. It definitely feels better-built than some of the PC counterparts.

With that said, I think I'm going to go with a mid-ranged ASUS. I have a fairly new desktop that I'll be using for most of my intense school-work at home. Laptop will mostly be for class/library.

I've been looking into ASUS's too. Think I'll end up going with a Lenovo but they look like a solid backup choice. I love my MBP retina display, so I totally understand the temptation. BUT, it's true that Macs are ways overpriced so I'm selling mine to buy a new PC + have extra cash leftover.

NoodleyOne wrote:It all depends on what you plan on using it for. If you're not going to do any intensive stuff, get something that's more cost effective. You don't need the latest Nvidia card with the latest processor and shit if all you're going to do is use word and netflix.

Yeah, I agree. People tend to buy "too much laptop," which I'm guilty of as well, so I'm trying to be smarter about it this time.

I passed through best buy this weekend to check out laptops. It's true that the UVA suggetions are way too overpriced, but it's really tough for me to deny the MB air's sexyness. It definitely feels better-built than some of the PC counterparts.

With that said, I think I'm going to go with a mid-ranged ASUS. I have a fairly new desktop that I'll be using for most of my intense school-work at home. Laptop will mostly be for class/library.

I've been looking into ASUS's too. Think I'll end up going with a Lenovo but they look like a solid backup choice. I love my MBP retina display, so I totally understand the temptation. BUT, it's true that Macs are ways overpriced so I'm selling mine to buy a new PC + have extra cash leftover.

Get an ultrabook (unless you need an optical drive/intense graphics card)! Samsung and Dell both have solid options. Also, I believe if you call Dell you can say you're a student and get a discount (how I got my undergrad laptop and what I'll probably do for another in a month or so).

shibby wrote:Yeah, I agree. People tend to buy "too much laptop," which I'm guilty of as well, so I'm trying to be smarter about it this time.

I passed through best buy this weekend to check out laptops. It's true that the UVA suggetions are way too overpriced, but it's really tough for me to deny the MB air's sexyness. It definitely feels better-built than some of the PC counterparts.

With that said, I think I'm going to go with a mid-ranged ASUS. I have a fairly new desktop that I'll be using for most of my intense school-work at home. Laptop will mostly be for class/library.

I've been looking into ASUS's too. Think I'll end up going with a Lenovo but they look like a solid backup choice. I love my MBP retina display, so I totally understand the temptation. BUT, it's true that Macs are ways overpriced so I'm selling mine to buy a new PC + have extra cash leftover.

Get an ultrabook (unless you need an optical drive/intense graphics card)! Samsung and Dell both have solid options. Also, I believe if you call Dell you can say you're a student and get a discount (how I got my undergrad laptop and what I'll probably do for another in a month or so).

It's a little unclear to me how much more beneficial it would be to have an Ultrabook over simply a fast, light, high quality regular laptop. To me it seems you're paying a premium for the name. Am I wrong?

shibby wrote:It's a little unclear to me how much more beneficial it would be to have an Ultrabook over simply a fast, light, high quality regular laptop. To me it seems you're paying a premium for the name. Am I wrong?

Ultrabooks are really light. I'm not really a fan, since I do some stuff that needs more machine, but they're the equivalent of Macbook Air's, I believe, for half the price. Also, some have touch screens (for some reason).

shibby wrote:It's a little unclear to me how much more beneficial it would be to have an Ultrabook over simply a fast, light, high quality regular laptop. To me it seems you're paying a premium for the name. Am I wrong?

Ultrabooks are really light. I'm not really a fan, since I do some stuff that needs more machine, but they're the equivalent of Macbook Air's, I believe, for half the price. Also, some have touch screens (for some reason).

You could definitely find non touch screen ultrabooks. If simply by a matter of personal preference you want something more hefty/less delicate then that's perfectly fine. Just in general ultrabooks are nice and light form-wise and offer substantial computing power while taking up less space/power. The SSD and low-power CPU requirements means you'll have a much quicker computer using less juice thus lasting longer. Of course if you simply find the same components in a 'regular' laptop that works. You're not necessarily paying a premium for the name but rather the higher-end components that are required to be used in an 'ultrabook.'

shibby wrote:

NoodleyOne wrote:

shibby wrote:It's a little unclear to me how much more beneficial it would be to have an Ultrabook over simply a fast, light, high quality regular laptop. To me it seems you're paying a premium for the name. Am I wrong?

Ultrabooks are really light. I'm not really a fan, since I do some stuff that needs more machine, but they're the equivalent of Macbook Air's, I believe, for half the price. Also, some have touch screens (for some reason).

I'm a relatively recent admit off the waitlist and am searching for an apartment. If anyone has signed a lease for a one-bedroom and needs to back out or is looking for a female roommate for a 2bd/2ba in the Pavilion, please let me know. Thanks!